The Enforcement Directorate attached assets worth Rs 61.20 crore of Chaitanya Baghel, son of ex-Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel, in the state's liquor scam. The assets, seized under PMLA, include plots, agricultural lands, and bank balances.
The Enforcement Directorate has provisionally attached assets worth Rs 61.20 crore of Chaitanya Baghel, son of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, in connection with the ongoing investigation into the Chhattisgarh liquor scam.
The attached assets include immovable properties in the form of 364 pieces of residential plots and agricultural lands worth Rs 59.96 crore as well as movable properties in the form of bank balances and fixed deposits worth Rs 1.24 crore. These assets were seized under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. The present attachment of Rs 61.20 crore is in continuation of earlier attachments of immovable properties valued at approximately Rs 215 crore.
Investigation Background
ED's Chhattisgarh zonal office seized these assets on November 10 as part of its investigation initiated on the basis of a First Information Report registered by Chhattisgarh's Anti-Corruption Branch and Economic Offences Wing under various Sections of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 and the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, in the liquor scam in the state. Police investigation has revealed that the Chhattisgarh liquor scam resulted in a massive loss to the state exchequer and filled the pockets of the beneficiaries with more than Rs 2500 Crore of Proceeds of Crime (POC) generated by the commission of scheduled offences, said the agency in a statement.
Chaitanya Baghel's Alleged Role
"Investigation conducted under PMLA has revealed that Chaitanya Baghel, son of Bhupesh Baghel, was positioned at the apex of the liquor syndicate. His position as the Chief Minister's son made him the controller and ultimate authority of the liquor syndicate. He was responsible for maintaining the "hisab" (accounts) of all illicit funds collected by the syndicate. All major decisions relating to collection, channelisation, and distribution of such funds (POC) were taken under his directions," ED mentioned in its statement.
Laundering of Scam Proceeds
ED investigation further established that Chaitanya was a recipient of Proceeds of Crime (POC), which he layered through his real estate business and projected as untainted assets. "Chaitanya utilised POC generated from the liquor scam for development of his real estate project 'Vitthal Green' under his proprietorship concern, M/s Baghel Developers."
Arrests in the Case
Chaitanya was arrested by the ED on July 18 this year and is presently in judicial custody. Earlier, in this case, Anil Tuteja (Ex-IAS), Arvind Singh, Trilok Singh Dhillon, Anwar Dhebar, Arun Pati Tripathi (ITS) and Kawasi Lakhma (MLA and the then Excise Minister of Chhattisgarh) were arrested by the ED. (ANI)
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)